The Government has stressed the need to intensify its proactive campaign against drugs, based on the strategy “Force of the Land to Defeat the Drug Problem.”

The Government is proceeding with its plan to set up a national women’s development fund in line with its urgent policy in the 2012 fiscal year.

The Government expects a strong GDP growth of 5 percent in 2012, with more export diversification into the Middle East, India, and ASEAN.

As preparations for effective water management are now underway, the Government believes that a flood crisis will not reoccur, after Thailand suffered the worst flooding in its recent history last year.

Thailand has joined a ceremony to celebrate the auspicious occasion of the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Canada relations at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Thailand and Vietnam have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on health cooperation, under which Thailand will help Vietnam develop its universal health care coverage scheme.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister, Mr. Pham Binh Minh, will pay an official visit to Thailand on 6 February 2012 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has stressed the importance of tourism to the Thai economy and declared that clear strategies were needed to set directions for the country’s tourism industry in the future.

China, Germany, France, and Israel have lifted or withdrawn the travel advisories and alerts for Thailand over possible terrorist threat.

Known as an important rice bowl of Thailand, Chai Nat province in the central region will organize a Straw Bird Festival to promote local tourism and preserve local culture.